Monthly Monitor Howell County Health Department 411 Garfield, West Plains, MO 65775 Telephone 417-256-7078 fax. 417-256-1179 Website: http://abc.eznettools.net/ www.howellcountyhealthdept.com
<<August 06 >>	Volume 53
·    CALENDAR   WIC Checks:  1, 9   WIC Recerts:  4, 7, 8, 11, 15, 21, 22, 25, 29 Immunizations:  14, 18   Family Planning:  3, 10, 16, 24   Willow Clinic:  2            Mt. View Clinic: 23      Cholesterol Screenings:  8, 29    Holiday’s:  None	Howell County Health Department Observing Missouri Breastfeeding Month By Michelle Knight BS Nutritionist   One of the most important decisions a new mother can make to assure health and contentment for her baby is to breastfeed.  This simple fact is being celebrated and reinforced as the state recognizes World Breastfeeding Week August 1-7.    Experts agree breastfeeding promotes baby’s good health both in the beginning and throughout life.  Breast milk can be credited with helping to facilitate the development of a baby’s brain as well as aiding in the growth of its immune system to withstand such ailments as diarrhea, ear infections, and infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts.  It also reduces the baby’s risk of environment-borne illnesses, food sensitization, and allergies.  Added to these benefits is the fact that a baby who is breastfed exclusively for at least six months has a reduced risk of obesity later in life.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that new mother’s breastfeed their babies for at least the first year.   The benefits do not rest entirely with the babies.  Mothers enjoy tangible health benefits as well.  Breastfeeding reduces postpartum bleeding, helps the mother return to her pre-pregnancy size sooner, boosts her immune system, and even reduces a diabetic mother’s need for insulin.  In the long-term, a breastfeeding mother is also granted increased protection from breast and ovarian cancer as well as osteoporosis.  For more information, contact Michelle Knight Nutrition Coordinator, and Breastfeeding Coordinator (417) 256-7078 knighm@lpha.dhss.mo.gov   August is National Immunization Awareness Month The health department has free immunization clinics offered 2 times every month.  You must call for an appointment at 417-256-7078.  The calendar on the left denotes the clinic dates for the month.  For more information call the health department.
The West Nile virus, like most mosquito-borne viruses, is found in wild birds. The disease caused by the virus was first described in Africa in 1937, with outbreaks occurring later in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The virus was first documented in North America in 1999. Most people infected with West Nile virus do not experience any symptoms. In about 20% of infected people, symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, and body aches. In rare instances the virus can infect the human nervous system, causing diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis. West Nile virus is maintained in nature through a complex life cycle involving wild birds and mosquitoes.     When a mosquito feeds on an infected bird, it can pick up the virus and transmit it to other, uninfected birds. Occasionally, infected mosquitoes will feed on mammals such as horses, dogs, cats, and humans, and transmit the virus to them. Mammals are dead-end hosts, however, and do not contribute to the transmission cycle.   The Monthly Monitor is brought to you each month by Dawn V. Hicks, Health Educator / Environmental Specialist.  If you have any health topics of concern that you would like to see and read more about please email me at hicksd@lpha.dhss.mo.gov and I will try and get it in the Monitor.	West Nile Virus Dead Bird Surveillance, Laboratory Results for Missouri, January 20-Present   As of July 26, 2006:   Positive---------------------------------50 Negative-------------------------------111 Pending----------------------------------1 Unsuitable for testing------------------0 # Counties with positives ------------23   SUMMARY OF WNV POSITIVE BIRDS BY MISSOURI COUNTY, AS OF JULY 26, 2006 County Name Case Status Number of WNV Positive Birds Adair Confirmed 1 Barry Confirmed 1 Boone Confirmed 2 Buchanan Confirmed 4 Cape Girardeau Confirmed 1 Cole Confirmed 6 Dent Confirmed 1 Franklin Confirmed 2 Gasconade Confirmed 3 Henry Confirmed 1 Howell Confirmed 4 Iron Confirmed 1 Jefferson Confirmed 4 Laclede Confirmed 2 Pike Confirmed 1 Polk Confirmed 1 Ralls Confirmed 2 St. Charles Confirmed 4 St. Francois Confirmed 1 St. Louis City Confirmed 3 Taney Confirmed 1 Washington Confirmed 1 Webster Confirmed 3                                                                           Total verified human WNV cases being reported: 1 Total verified WNV-related fatalities:  0 As of July 19, 2006   Arbovirus County Name Onset Date Age Sex Fatality Hospitalized WNV Jasper County 06/02/2006 67 M N Yes   2006 Mosquito-borne Disease Positive Horses in Missouri As of July 19, 2006     State ID# Year County Name Onset Date Species Arbovirus MOEQ060002 2006 Miller County 06/29/2006 Equine WNV MOEQ060003 2006 Howell County 07/11/2006 Equine WNV     Testing for West Nile:   The Department of Health and Senior Services labs do all of the testing for the West Nile Virus in dead birds.  Once a bird tests positive in a zip code they will no longer test birds that come from that zip code. Howell County has had positive tests for the 65775, 65548, and 65793 zip codes.  We will no longer send birds in from these zip codes.  If you have a bird and live in Howell County and have a different zip code we can still send it in for testing. A bird is suitable for testing if it has clear, distinct eyes.  DO NOT send birds that have an odor, are soft or mushy, have eyes that are sunk in, feathers that rub off easily, or have maggots present, they will be too decomposed for testing. Never pick up a dead bird with your bare hands, use rubber gloves or insert your hand into a plastic bag and grasp the bird, pull the bag around the bird as you remove your hand.  Each bird should be placed in a plastic bag and tied off, then placed in a second plastic bag.  Bring the bird directly to the Howell County Health Department at 411 Garfield Ave, West Plains.  Or for more information contact Environmental Specialists:  Justin Frazier or Dawn Hicks at 417-256-7078.